By: Tess Lampe
Homework is something that most people hate, but is it something that should be abolished though? Some people see that as an easy question - yes. Others, however, see homework as something that really does improve a student academically.
Headteacher at Beechwood Park School Edward Belfour says that homework is “part and parcel of developing independent learning” and it is challenging work that “gently pushes children out of their comfort zone,” Further, he states that not only does homework “help[s] towards developing independence and confidence in young children in preparation for adulthood,” but it also allows students to “demonstrate their flair and their ingenuity, their creativity and their character.”
On February 14, 2019, a study was conducted by the Center of American Progress that includes information about American homework assignments and how they aren’t too demanding when it comes to “basic skills.” Additionally, it goes into detail about how homework relates to the standards of Common Core, “show not only what they know, but what they can do with that knowledge [is now generally embraced in most states].” Similar argument presents the statement that homework “focuses on basic skills such as procedural knowledge in math or memorization and recall in language arts. It generally does not require students to demonstrate deeper knowledge skills, such as the ability to analyze, conceptualize, or generate - as required by Common Core.”
On the other hand, many believe that homework is essentially useless and only causes stress. Elissa Strauss stated that much research has been conducted over homework and have only resulted in mixed results, ultimately concluding that homework is pretty much useless for elementary students. For older students, the benefits of homework don’t increase as much as believed. Strauss also stated how having no homework not only benefits the child, but it benefits the parent or caregiver, along with the household as a whole. “Meanwhile [neighbors are busy with homework all week], our family takes that time to enjoy our kids.” Further, Strauss states how schooling schedules and traditions/cultures were created when mothers were always available to their children. Now, however, parents are not home very often to aid their children with schooling. “We need to accommodate for the fact that nobody’s home to watch kids after school and during holiday breaks, or to spend four hours building a ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ diorama on a Thursday afternoon.”
Another argument is made by Jen Hogan, who says “Childhood is short and evenings should be for learning life skills, family time and plain old fun.” Mrs. Hogan essentially says that as homework continues and repeats, children become less energetic, as homework has taken over the time for play. Children and teenagers during summer are energetic, playful, and more encouraged. When they come home during the school year, however, none of that seems to be nearly as present. Jen compares homework to work in adult life, “I can’t imagine someone saying to an adult who arrives home tired from a day at work, ‘Hey, do you know what you should do now? You should do even more work.’” She continues this by saying that it would also be foolish to believe that this repetition and stress would build love for a job, or in this case, for school.
A study showed that homework through fifth grade is too easy for many parents’ children and doesn’t impact education very much. For high school students, however, the homework is usually or is supposed to be beneficial and educational, but can often be challenging and take up much free time.
All of this being said, the argument for and against homework is not one-sided. Each side has pros and cons in different situations. For example, the difference between elementary level and high school level homework. Sacrifice child creativity for a low to non-existent amount of achievement in elementary school just to follow Common Core? Sacrifice free time and create challenges & stress for beneficial education? Those are the questions frequently asked in this debate, which are both up to each person and each school to decide.
https://www.studyinternational.com/news/homework-beneficial-education-landscape/
https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2257695836?accountid=65642
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